Week in Review

Dec. 27, 2013
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Weekend Service and Extra Manpower Continues for Ice Storm Cleanup
Four divisions in two departments are working to catch up on storm debris and other Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) services after the ice storm earlier this month. Water maintenance and street crew workers have joined solid waste division workers from the City’s Public Services Department, and Parks and Recreation Department workers are also helping in the effort to catch up on the more than 11,000 calls for service from homeowners in the city. That equates to approximately 40 percent of all single family residential addresses in the community.

Residents are asked to place brush, branches and other storm debris by the front curb on their property in their normal bulky item pickup location and to schedule a pickup. Collection service can be scheduled online at cor.net/recycling or by calling 972-744-4111. Smart phone users can also download the City’s mobile application to request service.

The City expects to have all BABIC debris picked up and sand removed from intersections by the end of the month.

Holiday Schedule
In recognition of the New Year’s holiday, City facilities and services will operate according to the following schedule:

Sanitation Schedule/Recycle Make Up Days
There will be NO solid waste pick up or special pick up Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014.

"Tree Cycle" Christmas Trees
Richardson residents may “tree cycle” their Christmas trees through Jan. 31 by dropping them off at the Municipal Service Center, 1260 Columbia Dr. The site is open 24 hours seven days a week. Residents may also call 972-744-4111 to request a Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC), then set the tree out at the front curb for collection. Make sure to request that the tree be mulched.

All trees must be natural and unflocked, with all ornaments, tinsel, lights and other decorative items removed. Calls for BABIC must be received before the designated collection day (your BABIC day is the same as your recycling day).

Recycle Boxes to Prevent Crime
The City of Richardson Public Services Department and the Richardson Police Department have teamed up to help fight crime and recycle at the same time. Instead of putting your new computer or flat screen TV box out for pick-up, recycle and prevent crime.

Temporary recycle locations will be open through Jan. 3 at:

Custer Park, 700 W. Renner Rd. (near the tennis courts)

Recycle Center, 102. N. Cottonwood Dr.

1500 Apollo Rd. (near the Huffhines Tennis Center courts)

Breckinridge Park, 5200 Park Vista Rd. (near the baseball complex)

If you prefer to throw the boxes away, place them inside a black bag so you do not advertise that you have a new computer or TV in your home.

Santa’s Village Lights Still On
Santa’s Village has officially closed for the season, but the lights will remain on at the 16 tiny dwellings until Wednesday. Families are welcome to visit the village and take photos or enjoy the holiday decorations.

Santa’s Village is located to the north of City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Rd. For more information, visit cor.net/santa.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Richardson’s Office of Emergency Management and the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are seeking public input on the final draft of an update to the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires hazard mitigation plans to be updated every five years and public input is a key component to the planning process. The purpose of the plan update is to reduce the vulnerability of people and property in the community to the impacts of hazards. Maintaining a current plan also allows agencies to be eligible for grant funding from FEMA.

The Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Richardson Annex will be available for public comment until Jan. 6, 2014.

City Council Work Session CancelledIn observance of the New Year holiday, the Dec. 30 work session has been cancelled. The next City Council meeting is a work session scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.

Rescheduled Vocal Majority Concert this WeekendThe Vocal Majority Chorus will present “A VM Christmas Story” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday at the Eisemann Center. The shows were originally set for early December but were rescheduled because of the ice storm.

Pegasus Theatre to Perform “Rehearsal for Murder!” at Eisemann Center
Pegasus Theatre will present “Rehearsal for Murder!” at 8 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Eisemann Center. The show's run will continue through Jan. 26. The murder mystery show uses special effects to appear like a black and white movie. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 2, performances will take place at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets cost $20 to $35 for most shows and are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650. The Dec. 31 show costs $50, which includes cake and champagne in the lobby after the performance.

Library to Show “Rise of the Guardians”
The Richardson Public Library will show “Rise of the Guardians” at a Movie Morning program from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the Basement Program Room. For more information, call the Library at 972-744-4350.

Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the WeekThis sweet dog is named Fred! He came to us Nov. 7. He is a hound and Labrador Retriever mix and is 9 months old. He is already neutered and fully vaccinated. Very playful and fun!